Present Continuous is the forty-first (assuming left to right) skill in the Dutch language tree. In the two lessons of this skill, the learner of Dutch is introduced to the most common way of using the Dutch continuous. The continuous describes an action that is currently happening.
Grammar Notes[]
Dutch contains the continuous tense, just like in English. There are a few ways that one can express it:
- Most common is using zijn aan het + infinitive: Hij is aan het schrijven.
- Second most common is using a locational verb such as zitten or staan: Hij zit te schrijven (obviously, he must be sitting for this to be correct).
- Rarely, but usually dramatic, the combination zijn + present participle is used: Hij is schrijvende.
- Another rare form is using the adverb bezig, which means "busy": Hij is bezig met/te schrijven.
- If the person has gone away to do the activity, then it can be written using the infinitive: Hij is schrijven.
References[]
Duolingo Lesson: www.duolingo.com/skill/dn/Present-Continuous